Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Looking for a good alternative to Zales

R

RebelGirl

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
Messages
15
Hello all!

I am a long time lurker on these boards, but I am coming out of hiding today to ask for a little help. I found a bridal set at Zales that I really like the look of. Here's the link to the set: http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12079762

Now, I know from lots of reading on pricescope that Zales does not have good quality diamonds, but this set is exactly what I have been trying to find for quite a while. I told my fiancé that I would do my best to find something similar online that would hopefully be better quality and might even save us some money, but I haven't come up with very much. So that's where I need the help of all you professionals who know this stuff. Are there any rings like this out there that would be more bang for our buck. We are on a limited budget so can't really spend more than the $6,500 Zales is asking for. The lower the price, the easier it would be for us. Also, we are specifically looking for a bridal set, not just an engagement ring. He already proposed with a small ring, with the understanding I could pick out something different for the wedding.

I feel like our budget is tiny so I don't know where to cut corners in order to get a quality diamond that sparkles like crazy. I really want at least a 1 carat center stone with the best cut I can get, but I am totally ok with something that has lower color and clarity and is just eyeclean. Any suggestions you guys can offer would be great. Thanks!
 
A set like that is super easy to find and better quality, more than likely. But is your total budget for the two rings and the diamond center $6500? Because if so, you cannot get a 1 ct center stone with that budget. The good thing is, a halo makes the ring look a lot larger, so you have the appearance of a larger diamond.
 
as a set, with the w-band, too hard to hit 1 ct.
 
 
Wow, that's really disappointing to hear that I wouldn't be able to get a 1 carat centerstone. I'm kinda surprised since the Zales set has a 1 carat stone, but I guess this is one rare situation where the online vendors are actually more expensive than the mall stores. Well, it was worth a shot to look. Thank you guys for the help.
 
If you get a nice .75-.9 cts, it will look better than a heavily included, poorly cut 1 ct from Zales.
 
diamondseeker2006|1360174634|3373704 said:
Here is about the least expensive set I know of.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-6802

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-6802

That totals $1725. for the set which leaves you about $4500+ for the diamond.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-H-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-194830
Click to expand...

That stone scored a 3.9 on the HCA! I'd suggest this:

This one scored a 1.2. If you like it, put it on hold and request an idealscope. I know that it's VG for symmetry, but this is a good example of a stone that's "excellent" and scored a 3.9 and a stone that's "very good" for the symmetry and it scored a 1.2.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.03-carat-H-color-SI1-clarity-Very-Good-cut-sku-53509
 
RebelGirl|1360175353|3373716 said:
Wow, that's really disappointing to hear that I wouldn't be able to get a 1 carat centerstone. I'm kinda surprised since the Zales set has a 1 carat stone, but I guess this is one rare situation where the online vendors are actually more expensive than the mall stores. Well, it was worth a shot to look. Thank you guys for the help.
Click to expand...

No- The 1ct center is I1-I2 if you look at the specs, and you also can't guarantee it's going to be well cut. You aren't really going to see a difference in a .90 stone and a 1ct stone in a halo. The halo ring from IDJ I linked to w/ the 6mm center is set with 3pters in the halo (I asked about it one time), so ought to have some nice finger coverage.
 
JulieN|1360175459|3373718 said:
If you get a nice .75-.9 cts, it will look better than a heavily included, poorly cut 1 ct from Zales.
Click to expand...

Super ditto this....

+100
 
RebelGirl|1360175353|3373716 said:
Wow, that's really disappointing to hear that I wouldn't be able to get a 1 carat centerstone. I'm kinda surprised since the Zales set has a 1 carat stone, but I guess this is one rare situation where the online vendors are actually more expensive than the mall stores. Well, it was worth a shot to look. Thank you guys for the help.
Click to expand...

It is absolutely possible to get a 1 ct on your budget! You just have to know where to look! And having it in a halo will definitely help (if you end up getting something just shy of a carat).
 
RebelGirl|1360175353|3373716 said:
Wow, that's really disappointing to hear that I wouldn't be able to get a 1 carat centerstone. I'm kinda surprised since the Zales set has a 1 carat stone, but I guess this is one rare situation where the online vendors are actually more expensive than the mall stores. Well, it was worth a shot to look. Thank you guys for the help.
Click to expand...

I'm confused...I looked through some of your previous posts (dating from 2009) and you first said you wanted a VS1, then later a VS2, but the Zales diamond is an I1-I2. That isn't going to be eye clean! Plus, the reason the Zales diamond is priced so low is, in addition to the clarity, chances are it's not cut well and faces up smaller than a well-cut .80-.90.

If you're trying to compare that Zales ring to online stones of HIGHER QUALITY, then you're comparing rotten apples to fresh organic oranges ;))

Are you in the trade? I'm just curious as your name comes up as a trade member. Thanks for clarifying.
 
I wouldn't mind going for something a little under a carat like say .90, but I really don't want to go as small as .75. It just wouldn't make me happy. I think I'd rather skip the set altogether and stick with the basic ring I have. Also, I'm looking for a halo that is slightly squared or cushion shaped like the Zales one, instead of a completely round halo around the diamonds.
 
MC, I have no clue about being in the trade. LoL. I wonder if I hit something weird by accident when I originally signed up. How do I change that? I never post here, just enjoy seeing everyone's beautiful rings since I can't have them. LoL. As for my posts years ago, that was before I got engaged. We were originally looking for a ring with a bigger budget, but then I lost my job and so my fiance' now pays both my bills and his, which leaves us less free money to spend on fun stuff.
 
RebelGirl|1360176389|3373736 said:
I wouldn't mind going for something a little under a carat like say .90, but I really don't want to go as small as .75. It just wouldn't make me happy. I think I'd rather skip the set altogether and stick with the basic ring I have. Also, I'm looking for a halo that is slightly squared or cushion shaped like the Zales one, instead of a completely round halo around the diamonds.
Click to expand...

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/halo-french-set-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6113

You probably could hit 1ct or pretty close if you drop down to J/K color. I'd stick with GIA/AGS graded stones if it were me, since other labs may be off in their color grading, sometimes by significant amounts.
 
I just contacted the admin so they'll fix that.

I do think you'd be MUCH happier with a diamond in the .80ish range that is well cut than going down to an I1-I2 clarity diamond that is one carat. If you look at the small print on most of those preset rings, they can actually sell you a diamond that is less than one carat and call it one carat. :knockout:
 
bastetcat|1360176806|3373748 said:
RebelGirl|1360176389|3373736 said:
I wouldn't mind going for something a little under a carat like say .90, but I really don't want to go as small as .75. It just wouldn't make me happy. I think I'd rather skip the set altogether and stick with the basic ring I have. Also, I'm looking for a halo that is slightly squared or cushion shaped like the Zales one, instead of a completely round halo around the diamonds.
Click to expand...

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/halo-french-set-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6113

You probably could hit 1ct or pretty close if you drop down to J/K color. I'd stick with GIA/AGS graded stones if it were me, since other labs may be off in their color grading, sometimes by significant amounts.
Click to expand...

How did i forget this im always the ritani gal :lol: good old gold sells this. That with the .9 i posted would be just lovely, and a twinge over budget though. You can call them and see if they can find you an i for a less $$
 
That may be a possibility to leave the band for later. I will just have to see how my fiance' feels about it. I appreciate everyone's suggestions and I am checking out all the links posted. I can't help feeling pretty dissapointed by how small I will have to go to get a nice stone, but I thank you all for the honesty. Quality doesn't come cheap and I know there is a huge difference between the diamonds online and the ones in a mall store. I just had my heart set on something a little bigger.
 
Would you be willing to go with an antique stone like an Old European cut? If you are willing to do eBay, you can find 1 carat stones, likely within your budget.
 
RebelGirl|1360177533|3373757 said:
That may be a possibility to leave the band for later. I will just have to see how my fiance' feels about it. I appreciate everyone's suggestions and I am checking out all the links posted. I can't help feeling pretty dissapointed by how small I will have to go to get a nice stone, but I thank you all for the honesty. Quality doesn't come cheap and I know there is a huge difference between the diamonds online and the ones in a mall store. I just had my heart set on something a little bigger.
Click to expand...

Waiting on the band actually may be a great compromise. You can get the eng ring you want, with the diamond size you want, and a simple band and then for a wedding anniversary, get the matching band. There will be tons of bling in the eng ring with a well-cut stone!
 
I think H-I color is going to work best in a halo setting. I think you'll really see the tint especially if you go below J color just to get a carat. The HCA is helpful but I rarely use it since it eliminates some good stones. You need to get the idealscope images regardless of the HCA score and it will show if there is leakage or not. I'd also only consider GIA and AGS graded stones.

Some people choose to get a cheap plain solitaire setting to put the whole budget into the diamond. You can always reset for an anniversary later. And a plain wedding band is always good to have, and many people wear one plain and one diamond band.

It is also a good idea to buy from a vendor with a good upgrade policy if your desire is really for a larger stone. Some people start with a diamond in a simple setting and then for a later anniversary upgrade the diamond before resetting. I'd use WhiteFlash or Good Old Gold for their upgrade policies.
 
nielseel|1360177216|3373752 said:
bastetcat|1360176806|3373748 said:
RebelGirl|1360176389|3373736 said:
I wouldn't mind going for something a little under a carat like say .90, but I really don't want to go as small as .75. It just wouldn't make me happy. I think I'd rather skip the set altogether and stick with the basic ring I have. Also, I'm looking for a halo that is slightly squared or cushion shaped like the Zales one, instead of a completely round halo around the diamonds.
Click to expand...

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/halo-french-set-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6113

You probably could hit 1ct or pretty close if you drop down to J/K color. I'd stick with GIA/AGS graded stones if it were me, since other labs may be off in their color grading, sometimes by significant amounts.
Click to expand...

How did i forget this im always the ritani gal :lol: good old gold sells this. That with the .9 i posted would be just lovely, and a twinge over budget though. You can call them and see if they can find you an i for a less $$
Click to expand...

Yes- with the Ritani at 1700 and the stone at 5K, it's a little over budget, but if you don't need a matchy matchy name brand wedding ring (they usually run over 1K for one that might be part of a set), I don't think you could go wrong with this stacker from IDJ for under 500 added on at a slightly later date:

http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_137&products_id=34186
 
MC|1360176231|3373732 said:
If you're trying to compare that Zales ring to online stones of HIGHER QUALITY, then you're comparing rotten apples to fresh organic oranges ;))
Click to expand...

:lol: I was going to say something similar, but you said it better! Here are a couple 1 carat I1 stones from JA, so you can compare:

http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.09-carat-H-color-I1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-177885
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.07-carat-F-color-I1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-183232

If inclusions don't bother you, you might consider an SI1-SI2 stone from a vendor with photos and who can tell you if it's eye-clean to your standards. Something like this:

http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-G-color-SI2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-169448
 
does it have to be a round?
 
Wow! So many replies since I stepped away. I will do my best to answer some questions that were raised. In a perfect world, I would love a huge absolutely perfect diamond with the best grade in every category, but sadly I'm not in a position to look for that so I'm trying to be satisfied with the best that we can afford at this time. Several people asked about getting a stone that isn't round, and I would be thrilled to find a cushion or radiant cut stone. I just assumed they would be far more expensive than a simple round.

I suppose it wouldn't be the end of the world if I waited until later to purchase a wedding band, I just know that halos can be tricky when you try to pair them with another band that wasn't made to match. You guys have given me a lot to think about.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top